3 Addictions

Helping You To Recover From Addiction

Month: March 2022

Tramadol Withdrawal

How Long Does Tramadol Withdrawal Last?

The duration of Tramadol withdrawal typically differs in each individual but generally ranges from 3 days to a few weeks. The intensity, initial onset, and period of withdrawal symptoms will rely on factors including:

  • Whether the person quit cold turkey or tapered off the drug.
  • The amount of the person’s last Tramadol dosage
  • Whether the individual took Tramadol along with other substances
  • The form of the drug taken e.g., injection, powder, or pills
  • How long the individual has been taking Tramadol

Tramadol Withdrawal Timeline

As the individual gets used to a life without the drug, their cravings will go away slowly and disappear eventually. The duration taken for the cravings to go away is based on the amount of effort put into recovery. However, this period ranges from one month to more than a year depending on the user’s situation. The timeline for Tramadol withdrawal typically looks like this:

Tramadol WithdrawalThe first 6 to 12 hours: During this time after the last dose of Tramadol, the user will start experiencing minor symptoms of withdrawal which can look like the flu. This includes body aches, a runny nose, watery eyes, and sweating.

Day 1 to Day 3: This will be the most difficult period for the user as the symptoms will peak at this stage. The body is experiencing pain and discomfort as the drug reduces in the system. The user experiences the onset of the withdrawal symptoms such as Tramadol cravings, sweating, insomnia, palpitations, anxiety, depression, nausea, nervousness, and generally feeling “on edge.” More flu-like symptoms experienced at this point include stomach cramping, chills, diarrhea, and vomiting.

Day 4 to Day 7: By this time most of the drug is out of the individual’s system so there will be a significant reduction in the symptoms even though there will still be some discomfort. Symptoms such as insomnia and cravings will persist aside from confusion and disorientation. The person may also experience more cravings, anxiety, mood swings, fatigue, and intestinal problems. On the other hand, the quality and quantity of sleep will have improved during this period.

Day 8 to Day 14: The withdrawal symptoms will start reducing but psychological symptoms including irrational thoughts, anxiety, and depression may continue.

Week 2 to Week 3: The individual’s sleep quality will continuously get better over the next following weeks, but they might still experience mood swings. Physical aches will have dissipated by now but again, psychological symptoms might continue.

Tapering

Tramadol WithdrawalThe physician may opt to ease the user off their physical dependence on the drug by tapering them off Tramadol. This can make Tramadol withdrawal much smoother but it can extend the timeline since it usually takes weeks or months to get over this dependence. If the medical professional tapers the user off of Tramadol properly, then the withdrawal symptoms should only last for five to seven days. However, if they do not taper properly the withdrawal symptoms might last longer and be more intense.

Any symptoms extending beyond one week are seen as post-acute withdrawal symptoms and they might comprise irritability, insomnia, mood swings, depression, anxiety, etc. Based on how serious the person’s Tramadol addiction is, the symptoms can go for 18 to 24 or more months as the harshness of the symptoms gradually reduces with time.

Factors Affecting Tramadol Withdrawal Timeline

Tramadol WithdrawalThe extent of the user’s physical dependence on the drug will determine the severity and duration of Tramadol withdrawal. This is because the brain depends on Tramadol significantly and might need some more time to get back to normal and restore its balance which was probably affected by extended, chronic Tramadol use. As such, people who have been taking particularly large doses of Tramadol for quite a while might be more dependent on it as compared to other users.

The user’s biology, genetics, and physiology also contribute to drug dependence as some people might easily become more dependent than others. Any co-existing mental or physical health conditions might also impact drug dependence while genetics are thought to influence drug dependence about 50% of the time. An individual with addiction and substance abuse in their family history might be more susceptible to Tramadol dependence compared to users lacking this risk factor.

The mode of taking the drug also influences Tramadol dependence and withdrawal. For example, users who have been taking the drug as recommended have a lower chance of being as dependent as users smoking, snorting, or injecting Tramadol.

Tramadol stays in the user’s body for 3 to 5 days after their last dose. However, long-term users might require up to one week to eliminate the drug from their bodies. The symptoms of Tramadol withdrawal usually start 2 to 3 days after the person’s last dose and will be over after approximately one week. The detox symptoms often become gradually worse from the first week after the last dose and peak when the drug is eliminated from the user’s system.

Afterward, the physiological withdrawal symptoms will quickly start to go away while psychological symptoms such as depression and anxiety may stay on for a few weeks after quitting Tramadol. The recovering user might also experience Tramadol cravings for a few months. The urges will reduce gradually with time because there is a significant difference between the cravings experienced during the initial stages of sobriety and detox.

Abuse, chronic stress, neglect, and trauma may also lead to the onset of substance abuse problems. This also applies to the age at which an individual starts abusing or using drugs.

During the initial weeks of being off Tramadol, it is important to get professional help to keep the recovering individual from relapsing. This allows them to gain the relevant support necessary to handle any underlying problems and keep walking on the path towards recovery.

Meth Withdrawal

What Does Meth Withdrawal Feel Like?

Meth, short for methamphetamine, is a recreational drug that functions as a stimulant. It increases your energy level, alertness, brain activity, and talkativeness. You also get a pleasurable, euphoric “high” soon after you take the drug.

Meth has powerful effects, making the drug prone to abuse. When you have been using the drug for a time, you also become vulnerable to meth withdrawal. The withdrawal symptoms are generally not fatal, but they can become sources of great discomfort.

Meth withdrawal often happens when you stop taking the drug after taking it habitually. The sudden absence of the drug makes it difficult for your brain to adjust, and this is what leads to withdrawal symptoms.

If you are wondering what meth withdrawal feels like, read on for more detailed descriptions of the symptoms.

How soon does withdrawal start and how long does it last?

Meth Withdrawal Based on research, withdrawal from meth occurs in two stages. The first stage can happen within 24 hours of your last dose of meth. The withdrawal symptoms may be at their most intense at this time. Over the course of a week, they will gradually subside.

The second stage often occurs over the next 2 to 3 weeks. Symptoms are less intense at this time.

Some users may suffer from lingering withdrawal symptoms lasting for months. This is known as post-acute withdrawal syndrome, or PAWS.

What are the withdrawal symptoms?

Each user will have different withdrawal symptoms depending on how severe their case is. There are common symptoms, though, such as these.

Anxiety

Anxiety is the most common symptom of meth withdrawal. Research indicates that as much as 30% of individuals withdrawing from meth suffer from anxiety disorders.

Depression

Depression is another common withdrawal symptom, and it is considered normal when you are getting off meth. In most cases, depressive symptoms die down about 3 weeks after the last dose. But in some people, depression can persist for a longer time.

Meth cravings

The sudden absence of meth in your system will trigger intense cravings for the drug. Your brain becomes stressed as it adjusts, and the discomfort you feel may strongly compel you to take meth again. Cravings are frequent symptoms for people withdrawing from this drug.

Increased appetite

When you were still using meth, you may have noticed being less hungry. This is a common effect of the drug. But when you are in withdrawal, the opposite happens — your appetite will increase. In particular, you will crave carbohydrate-rich food, especially at the beginning of the withdrawal period. These food cravings may last for 2 to 3 weeks.

Sleepiness and fatigue

When you were on meth, you would feel that your energy level is so high that you can go on without sleep. But once the drug is gone, your energy level will drastically drop, making you feel sleepy and tired most of the time. These effects are most pronounced during the first week of withdrawal. Some users may even suffer from hypersomnia, a condition characterized by sleeping for around 11 hours a day. Experiencing vivid dreams is also common.

Psychosis

Psychosis refers to a range of different psychological symptoms that make you feel detached from reality. During meth withdrawal, the usual symptoms are auditory, visual, and tactile hallucinations. In other words, you may hear, see, and feel things that are not really there. Additionally, you can have delusions, which are ideas that seem true to you, but in reality are untrue.

Why does withdrawal happen?

Meth WithdrawalMeth makes your brain release lots of dopamine and serotonin. These two molecules are involved in producing feelings of reward and satisfaction. Eventually, your brain’s supply of dopamine and serotonin will run out, and once you suddenly stop taking meth, withdrawal will kick in.

The discomfort you feel from withdrawal will continue until your brain has replenished its supply of dopamine and serotonin. This can last for a few days to weeks.

What are the best coping strategies for withdrawal?

Withdrawing from meth can be really uncomfortable. Even then, there are ways to make it more tolerable. Here are a few techniques you can use while withdrawing from this drug.

Keep yourself busy

If you can “distract” yourself with productive activities, like a creative hobby or sports, you can put your mind off any meth cravings. The cravings may be quite intense in the first few days, but they will slowly subside within about 2 weeks. The more you can keep yourself busy, the less time you will have to entertain meth cravings.

Exercise

Meth WithdrawalExercise is known to release brain molecules that put you in a good mood. Additionally, when you exercise while withdrawing from meth, it gives the added bonus of keeping yourself physically fit. In turn, your overall state of health will improve, which also helps in your recovery.

Avoid drug triggers

As much as possible, remove yourself from people and situations that encourage you to take meth. This way, you can effectively avoid the risk of relapse while withdrawing from the drug.

Eat healthy

As your appetite returns, make sure your diet is balanced and healthy. Avoid eating more than you usually do, as this may turn into a food addiction. A good state of physical health will help your recovery greatly.

Are medications necessary?

Medications are only prescribed by doctors when necessary, usually when you are going through a medically assisted detox procedure. This is the best way to quit meth, as you will be supervised by medical professionals through the entire process. They will ensure the safest and most comfortable process of withdrawal for you.

Some medications used in meth detox are:

  • Bupropion (Wellburtin)
  • Fluoxetine (Prozac)
  • Modafinil (Provigil)
  • Naltrexone (Vivitrol)

These medications deal with meth cravings, anxiety, depression, fatigue, and other common discomforts experienced during withdrawal.

Quit using meth safely

To ensure the best outcomes of recovering from meth withdrawal, seek professional help right now. Talk to your doctor or a recovery professional and you will know the best treatments for your needs.

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